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Colorado offense cashing in

Numbers say Eagles are getting some high percentage shots

By Adam Dunivan Sports Writer

Posted:
11/07/2012 10:48:51 PM MST

Michael Forney this past weekend scored goals the way head coaches love them to be scored. He earned his ECHL player of the week honor the hard way, even getting knocked on his behind close to the net after one of his four markers against the San Francisco Bulls.

With the exception of perhaps Cody Sol's 120-foot pinball shot on Saturday night, the Eagles are starting to work their way more in front of the net to add to their already-existing marksmanship. As a result, their shooting percentage is through the roof.

Through the first three weeks of the season, Colorado is shooting at a .133 clip, good for third in the entire league. Only Stockton (.143) and Idaho (.140) are shooting at a more successful rate. To put more perspective on the numbers, the league average is .103 for all 23 teams, and just eight squads sit higher than that.

Colorado Eagles forward Joey Sides takes a shot on Utah Grizzlies goalie Ryan Donovan in the first period of their game on Wednesday at the Budweiser Events Center.
(Steve Stoner)

Of course, one good weekend can do major damage in some of those categories, especially early, and Colorado's 13 goals on 73 total shots against the Bulls boosted the stats tremendously.

Head coach Chris Stewart doesn't put a lot of stock in numbers other than goals, but he said he thinks the fact the Eagles are that high in shooting percentage does indicate the level of skill from those on the ice.

"I don't put a whole lot into numbers sometimes ... but I think it does nail home the fact that we do have a highly skilled hockey club that, given the opportunity they put the puck in the net," Stewart said. "The hard work to get those opportunities are extremely important. Getting second and third shots, it's not going to happen if you're not willing to get your nose dirty."

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Looking back at the weekend, however, that was exactly how the Eagles dominated the scoreboard. Bullying San Francisco's goalies gave the Eagles the most success, and Forney the entire season has been getting a lot of those close-in, high-percentage chances. Forney, who leads the league with nine goals, has netted that on just 23 shots, a 39.1 percent success rate that puts him second individually in that category (Stockton's Teigan Zahn, no longer on the Thunder, knocked in two goals on five shots).

"I think playing with two great guys right now, my job is to get in those high percentage areas and let them get me the puck there," Forney said. "Hopefully I can bury it."

Added linemate Chad Costello: "Forney's carrying the weight for us, it seems like every shot is going in for him. Usually when you shoot with confidence, that percentage is going to be higher. Watching Forney, he's hot right now and every shot he takes seems to increase his confidence."

Forecast for S.F.: Clowe-dy

After falling on hard times recently, San Francisco is getting a jolt -- and other Western Conference teams might want to take note. San Jose Sharks grinder Ryane Clowe is now a Bull.

Clowe signed a contract with the expansion team on Tuesday, keeping him close to the place he has called home for the past six NHL seasons. The veteran winger has a solid resume, with 101 goals, 260 points and 488 penalty minutes in 395 games with San Jose, not including his 68 playoff games.

"We're excited to have a player of Ryane's caliber join the team," head coach Pat Curcio said in a team release. "We look forward to having him around the locker room, as he gets back into game shape. The rest of the players on the team will have a chance to learn from his work ethic."

Clowe isn't the only NHL player finding work in the ECHL. The Bulls also signed Edmonton defenseman Theo Peckham on Monday (156 games with the Oilers), and Devin Setoguchi (336 games between San Jose and Minnesota) was confirmed as signing with Ontario, as was reported last week by Canada's version of ESPN.

On Wednesday, Alaska also signed Scott Gomez to a standard player contract. Gomez had skated the preseason with the Aces.

Stingy Cincy

Cincinnati is off to its best start in club history, and that's saying something since the Cyclones boast two league titles in the past five seasons. The Cyclones have earned a point in eight games to start the year (6-0-2-0), and they have become the professors of playing in the one-goal hockey game.

So far, Cincinnati has played seven games decided by just a single score and it is 5-0-2 in those games.

Loose pucks

Gwinnett has won four games in a row to take the lead in the Eastern South Division, while Fort Wayne has also won four straight to keep pace with the Cyclones in the Eastern North. ... Costello is second in the ECHL with seven power play assists, trailing only Todd Robinson (Evansville), who has eight. ... Wheeling has scored just eight goals in six road games. ... Expansion Orlando has already been involved in five overtime games.

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